Communication device and input method for same using virtual keyboard

Abstract

A communication device, capable of inputting messages when the communication device is in different orientations, includes an orientation sensing unit configured to detect a current orientation of the communication device, an interface transferring unit configured to invoke corresponding input interface to show on a screen of the communication device according to the current orientation of the communication device when the communication device is in an input mode, and a message handling unit for storing the message contents input in a first input interface and showing the message contents on a second input interface when the communication device is rotated to another orientation.

1 . A communication device, comprising:
 an orientation sensing unit configured to detect a current orientation of the communication device;   an interface changing unit configured to invoke corresponding input interfaces to display on the communication device according to the current orientation of the communication device when the communication device is in an input mode; and   a message handling unit configured to store message contents inputted in a first input interface and displaying the message contents on a second input interface when the communication device is rotated to another orientation.   
   
   
       2 . The communication device system of  claim 1 , wherein the orientation sensing unit comprises a gravity ball and at least four sensing points symmetrically positioned around the gravity ball; the orientation sensing unit detects the orientation of the communication device via the gravity ball pressing against a corresponding sensing point. 
   
   
       3 . The communication device system of  claim 1 , further comprising an input interface setting unit configured to set a plurality of input interfaces corresponding to a plurality of orientations of the communication device. 
   
   
       4 . An input method for a communication device, the method comprising
 providing the communication device;   entering into an inputting mode;   detecting a current orientation of the communication device;   displaying a first input interface corresponding to the current orientation of the communication device for users inputting message; and   changing the first input interface to a second input interface when the communication device is rotated to another orientation.   
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising setting a plurality of input interfaces corresponding to different orientations of the communication device. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein an orientation sensing unit is positioned in the communication device for sensing the current orientation of the communication device. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the orientation sensing unit comprises a gravity ball and at least four sensing points symmetrically positioned around the gravity ball, the orientation sensing unit detects an orientation via the gravity ball pressing against one of the sensing points. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising storing the message contents inputted in the first input interface when the first input interface is changed to the second input interface and displaying the message contents in the second input interface for users to continue to edit.